Raymond E. Barnes

Raymond “Ray” Eldon Barnes, 82, died on Saturday, June 22nd, 2024, at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan, of natural age-related causes.

Ray was welcomed into the world on September 30th, 1941, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, by his parents Raymond Eldon Barnes and Anna Mia (Smith) Barnes. Just a year and three days later he gained a brother named Clarke Cordner Barnes. When Ray and Clarke were toddlers, their father left them and he and Clarke were raised solely by Anna Mia, in Iowa City, Iowa. The challenges of being raised by a single mother in the 1940s and 50s were many, but the bond shared by Anna Mia, Ray, and Clarke was strong enough to overcome.

Starting in kindergarten, Ray walked many blocks to get to and from school. He had a job delivering newspapers by the age of 10, and he played the clarinet from the 5th to the 10th grade. Busy with school and work, Ray did not have time to play sports, but he did find time to be a boy scout. His character was shaped by a loving family, community, and his faith in God. Ray was baptized in the Methodist church in Iowa City and attended church regularly during his childhood. While living in Kalamazoo, he participated in several different church congregations including Zion Lutheran Church and St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church.

After Anna Mia worked hard as a seamstress to provide for and raise her boys, she married Tom Pleasant in 1960 and Ray and Clarke gained a loving father. Tom and Anna Mia were supportive as Ray set out to pursue his education. Ray began pre-med studies at the University of Iowa with the goal of becoming a doctor. He was working at a bowling alley and found that working full time and taking challenging college courses was more than he could handle. Ray paused his schooling to join the Navy and he served honorably for four years, gaining the amazing experiences that came with being in the military. He traveled to beautiful places like Hawaii and Japan, was stationed on an aircraft carrier, and truly enjoyed his time in the Navy. After an unexpected delay due to the Cuban Missile Crisis, Ray left the Navy to continue his college studies, leaving open the option of a return to service in the future. After his honorable discharge he returned to the University of Iowa with new goals.

Ray changed his studies to focus on a major in mathematics and a minor in religion. While working as a camp counselor, he met his first wife Sarah. They were married and moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he continued his studies and graduated from Western Michigan University (WMU) in 1969. After graduating from WMU Ray took a job with the Upjohn Company. He was hired on October 7, 1969, and worked as a senior systems analyst. He absolutely loved his work.

His marriage to Sarah was short lived and his life once again required a change. Ray met his future wife Rebecca McLaren (Limburg) Orban at the Whistle Stop in downtown Kalamazoo and they were married in February of 1974. Ray found joy in becoming a dad to Rebecca’s daughter from her first marriage, Anne-Maia McLaren Orban. Ray legally adopted Anne-Maia in February of 1976. Ray and Rebecca added two more children to their family, Linnea Mia in December of 1974 and Seth Thomas in June of 1977. Ray and Rebecca divorced in 1986 and he remained single for the rest of his life.

Ray was a diligent, reliable employee, and he retired from Pharmacia/Upjohn after nearly 30 years of employment. Retirement was challenging for Ray’s mental health, so Seth moved home and encouraged him to shave, update his resume, and get back into the workforce. Ray was employed with Comsys (Later named Experis) for many of the years following his return to full time employment. He enjoyed working on projects and making new friends until 2019.

Through the seasons of his life, Ray found fulfillment in too many different types of recreation to mention. He often reminisced about his time as the president of the Kalamazoo Bicycle Club in 1973, volunteering over the span of five decades doing timing and scoring for the Sports Car Club of America, playing slow pitch softball on an Upjohn team, swimming laps at the YMCA almost every day for many years, fishing in his fishing boat and on charter fishing trips with friends, and being an umpire for softball games at Westwood Little League.

Ray’s primary love language was quality time. When Ray gave his time to you, you knew you were important to him. He generously gave his time to his children and grandchildren. When Ray was interviewed a few years ago by his granddaughter, Adirra, he told her that one of his best memories was being present at his brother Clarke’s wedding. He lovingly referred to Clarke as “my baby brother” and “Clarkie”. He loved supporting his family and friends from the sidelines. Ray was quietly present, finding fulfillment in watching as others enjoyed their lives. He found joy in relationships with those he cared about. The end of Ray’s life began when he suffered the immeasurable loss of his brother. He had to say his final goodbye to Clarke in July of 2023.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents Tom and Anna Mia Pleasant and his brother Clarke.

Ray will be missed by many and is survived by his sister-in-law of 62 years, Gayle Barnes of Geneseo, IL; his children Anne-Maia (Matthew) Kristof of East Moline, IL, Linnea (Zan) Powell of Kalamazoo, MI, and Seth (Elizabeth) Barnes of Chanhassen, MN; Ex-wife Rebecca Craft; nephew Patrick (Kimberly) Barnes, nieces Carrie Barnes and Kendra Moon; eleven grandchildren Austin Matthew Kristof, Emilie McLaren (Dylon) Brochon, Alissa Mia Powell, Arron Louis (Zelinda) Kristof, Tallia Ann (Evan) Scribner, Zan Eason Erwin Powell, Adirra “Addie” Mae Powell, Ian Eldon Powell, Annica Maia Powell, Victor Raymond Barnes, and Helen Catherine Barnes; three great-grandchildren Giovanni, Allison, and Theodore Kristof; great-nephew and great-niece Bryan and Kinley Barnes; several beloved cousins, many friends, and special neighbors.

Friends may visit with Ray's family on Monday, July 1st, from 10:00-11:00 AM, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Location, 3926 S. 9th Street, Kalamazoo, where his funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, with Pastor Mike Saylor officiating. Interment with military honors will be held on July 12th at Rock Island National Cemetery at 1:00 PM, CST.

Please share memories of Ray with his family at www.langelands.com 

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